The demands come from a combo of both amount of people and amount of data. The more data, the longer one person can demand data from the server. The more people, the more simultaneous connections there are putting a larger workload on the server. So therefor the servers would still be rather swamped with the amount of people that need updates unless they are something akin to steam servers, which I believe are either multiple linked severs or an extremely large server with an abundance of internet connections where as CF would have a smaller server, that could not support as much as a steam server could and is thus why it is a good idea to use steam as a platform for the game till CF can figure out what they're gonna do about Making Starbound Steam-Free for that little minority.
I like how you went with the three most useful Steam features, and didn't bother to mention achievements and trading cards. Intangible extrinsic rewards like those need to die a horrible death
Which thus-far has been the general consensus, and really the only one that benefits everyone in the end. Some people seem to be concerned with getting the beta as soon as possible, even if it's going to be a buggy mess. I want the option that means the beta goes by as fast as possible, so I can actually get the thing that I paid for, which is the final game, with mod support, director mode, and the post-release content generated by the pre-order bonuses, etc. Voting for option 1 or 2 is really voting that you think that playing the beta is more important than release...
In order to keep EVERYONE happy, i'm thinking option 1. Personally, I'd say go with 3 though except that it may cut people out of the beta who have preordered.
on steam, u dont have to spend work on any updater, and updates will be easier (auto-updates on steam) on drm-free, u have to got fully working updater , and whenever any update comes in, u have to wait ;] i prefer for u to make steam updated frequently and drm-free when its beecome more stable
I'm so excited that beta discussions are becoming more frequent. I think Steam is an AMAZING platform for games, so I don't mind one bit using it for the beta. It really does make updating the beta easier. It'd be even more amazing if the DRM-free version could be released simultaneously so that those who don't have access to Steam could still enjoy the beta, but logistically I feel going Steam-only is the best option. There will still be a huge base of people helping out Chucklefish with bug reports, so the beta's bug fixing stage will likely be short-lived.
All 3 options let everyone who has pre-ordered participate in the beta. Option 3 just means that the beta doesn't spread to other non-Steam avenues until it is stable enough to not need constant updating, and would not slow the process. No option leaves anyone out at all. Everyone fighting for option 1 or 2 are fighting to test (or just play) the game at its buggiest, most unfinished, and most unplayable state, and that's all.
That's fair. I should've been more clear with my statement: "cut people out of the beta this year" was more my thought (I am operating under the assumption that beta won't hit until late next month and could be wrong of course). Personally, I won't be starting up until mid-January when i get my new system.
My vote has to go to three. The DRM free I would think for their own sake, in foreknowledge of the sheer amount of updates in order that is, would want the updates to be a little chunkier so as to keep it fun not extra work to be in on the beta stage(s). Maybe even as above mentioned pick the DRM free for release at a few stable points along the beta.
tis amazing how every time something beta related appears it shoots past the usual 400 500 comment mark and doesnt stop until at least 1058.
1 or 3 I think. 2 is not an option if the goal of the beta is just testing. Some people will pick the not-updated-as-often DRM free one when they might have gone with the steam on if it was the only option. This means less people reporting on the current version, and more importantly you will get people reporting old and probably already fixed bugs in the out of date DRM free one and possibly more whining/bug reports about multiplayer incompatibility. While I don't see exactly what the issue is building the 2 versions of option 1 together, I will defer to the professionals on that. I guess that leaves option 3, which really is my favorite anyway. Initially during the fast paced early beta you have less people but that's fine as you are looking for the big bugs that show up quickly. Later when updates come less often you get more people looking for the sneaky subtle bugs. Everyone still gets beta so people shouldn't have a reason to whine (though some will as always).
